Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-02-24

Educ alton. II would be better to allow
towns TO furnish their own text books, at cost
or free. just as they might choose. Ii would
accomplish all that was desired by the pro-
posed bill TO simply amend section 8, chapter
IL, of the school law, by making it read /:
Towns "shall" provide school text books for
the use of the pupils of their public schools
at the expense Of said town, or they ''shall"
furnish them at cost to said pupils, This
was simple change of the word may" 10
the word 'shall "
Mr.. Waugh Of Levan; did not want gentle
men to b. led astrsv by the free text book
question. He represented four towns. and
they did not want to be compelled to adopt
that system. He saw no reason why the
State could not furnish the books bv the con-
tract system He had been connected with
schools for twenty-five wears. and had fur
nished large numbers of books to scholars
direct from the publishers. He never failed
to get less than 80 per cent. discount Some
thing had been said in regard to the centrali-
cation of power in this proposed Board of
Education. He did not think that ought to
be- considered, as he felt sure gentlemen
would not be appointed On that board, if
there should be ONT. without due consldera-
ton BY the appointing power
Mr.. Lufkin of Orrington, said that accord
\
the State could furnish books at a cheaper
rate than anv fractional part of the State
could. He had made contracts with publish
ing houses or their agents, and he was salts
fed from his correspondence with them that
it would not make any difference whether the
State bought them or town bought them.
They were furnished to him at the contract
price, and the lowest figure Vt which they
could be furnished. 1t had happened to him
that when he had i surplus Of books he was
able to sell them 10 wholesale dealers in the
State, because they could not get them at any
such rates as were allowed him on the con-
tract price. So it to be seen that the
publishing houses were not responsible tor
any of the exhorbtant prices that may be en-
countered at times in purchasing from whole
sale and retail dealers. He recited the case
of the city of Bangor, whera the schools were
specially graded for The use Of different books.
If State uniformity were made compulsory it
would necessiiate a re grading of their
schools.
Mr.. Dawson of Greenville thought this
matter of great Importance, and while he
was in favor Of State uniformity, he thought
this bill was encountered unnecessarily. He
thought the passage of the bill today would
be hasty, and that il would even be better to
refer it to the next legislature if it was nee
essary. He thought the committee had not
had sufficient time to consider the subject,
although they had been considering il for
five or six weeks. He therefore moved t.
re commit it.
Mr.. Ryder hoped the gentleman would
make some suggestions to the committee if
the bill was TO be re-committed
Mr.. Dawson said his main objection was
based on his belief that State Board of Ed
ucation was unnecessary.
Mr.. Pattangall hoped the motion would not
prevail. Gentlemen had listened to all the
arguments for and against this measure and
were prepared to vote upon it intelligently.
Mr.. Dawson Withdrew his motion.
Mr.. Wright of Paris moved to indefinitely
postpone the bill ; and the motion prevailed
by vote of &C ayes to As noes.
Adjourned.